'With just a little bit of simple joinery one could make a Shaker-style wooden seed box to replace the modern plastic version, and a soil tamper to firm the compost.'

'the agreements still have to be firmed up'

'Preliminary talks on possible sites have taken place between Leeds United and the city council at the highest level and will continue as plans are firmed up.'

'Bank of America has firmed up plans to set up a captive BPO outfit in Hyderabad, which will begin operations next month.'

'We note however that subsequently the October announcement was firmed up into a real, live agreement.'

'Tata Steel has firmed up its plan to set up chrome producing plant in South Africa with an investment of over Rs 250 crore as part of company's strategy to increase its global presence in steel and minerals.'

'Once the staging agreement is firmed up, Headingley's future will be assured and the indications are that the ground will be under Yorkshire's control by the end of June at the latest.'

'According to the company, plans in this regard would be firmed up by mid-2005.'

'And although the cornerstone was laid amid Independence Day fanfare, the design still has yet to be firmed up.'

'Sources said the individual entrepreneurs involved have signed a confidentiality agreement which does not allow any of them to go public on the group's plans until schedules are firmed up.'

'Bali Hai point was suggested as the welcoming area and plans need to be firmed up as to the decorations and formalities.'

with complement 'the shares firmed 15p to 620p'

'Forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation predict prices will firm in most major commodities.'

'Carphone provided a positive update at the end of September which has helped the shares to firm 15%.'

'Dutch shares firmed early on Thursday after the firm announced it was maintaining its dividend for the year contradicting earlier forecasts by analysts who had forecast the first dividend cut in over 20 years.'

'Now, margins have been compressed by pricing pressures, and industry analysts and executives don't see prices firming anytime soon.'

adverb

In a resolute and determined manner.

'she will stand firm against the government's proposal'

'He also knows that if you are prepared to stand firm and brazenly insist that you have always acted in good faith and done what you think is right, you can hope to con your way out of it.'

'We must stand firm and not bend under the social pressures and norms that surround us.'

'The prescription for this dilemma is for contracting offices to stand firm and not take on this type of assignment.'

noun

A business concern, especially one involving a partnership of two or more people.

as modifier 'a law firm'

'Union members are demanding shorter working hours and the government's retraction of its plan to privatize the public firms, which they fear will lead to massive layoffs.'

'She admits that it is easier for her to go into partnership with big firms now that she has established her reputation.'

'I'm a junior partner at a law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions.'

'The same costs potentially face publishing firms and broadcasting companies every time they decide to fight a complex libel case.'

'All of the foreign companies are partnered with local Taiwanese firms.'

'Should partners in law and accounting firms be entitled to sue if they face age, race, or sex discrimination?'

'It is rare for a biotechnology firm to establish its business in a an existing property.'

Origin

(firm)Late 16th century: from Spanish and Italian firma, from medieval Latin, from Latin firmare ‘fix, settle’ (in late Latin ‘confirm by signature’), from firmus ‘firm’; compare with farm. The word originally denoted one's autograph or signature; later (mid 18th century) the name under which the business of a firm was transacted, hence the firm itself (late 18th century).

Phrase

be on firm grounda firm hand

List of Adjectives Alphabetically

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